Behind Europe's commitment to liberal democracy lurks an illiberal tradition. Every time freedom has failed in Europe, it is to that tradition - of violent repression, totalitarianism, xenophobia, and intolerance - that Europeans have reverted.
restrictive to individual choice and freedom; authoritarian
Silbentrennung
re·stric·tive to in·di·vi·du·al choice and freedom; au·tho·ri·ta·ri·an